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Caring for children with cancer evacuated from Ukraine: The patients' perception.

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Author information

Affiliations

  • 1. Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
      Authors
    • Bolognese M 1
    • Massimino M 1
    • Cabibbe D 1
    • Armiraglio M 1
    • Luksch R 1
    • Terenziani M 1
    • Casanova M 1
    • Spreafico F 1
    • Meazza C 1
    • Podda M 1
    • Biassoni V 1
    • Schiavello E 1
    • Chiaravalli S 1
    • Puma N 1
    • Bergamaschi L 1
    • Gattuso G 1
    • Nigro O 1
    • Grampa P 1
    • Adduci A 1
    • Ferrari A 1
    • Clerici CA 1
    (21 authors)
  • 2. Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
      Authors
    • Zecca M 2
    (1 author)
  • 3. www.enartis.com, Novara, Italy.
      Authors
    • Fornara M 3
    (1 author)
  • 4. Western Ukrainian Specialized Children's Medical Centre, Lviv, Ukraine.
      Authors
    • Kyzima R 4
    (1 author)
  • 5. Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Armenia, Yerevan, Armenia.
      Authors
    • Hovsepyan S 5
    (1 author)

ORCIDs linked to this article

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Pediatric Blood & Cancer, 20 May 2024, 71(8):e31087
https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.31087 PMID: 38769590 

Abstract 

Background and aims

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, many pediatric oncology centers welcomed evacuated patients. To better understanding the needs of patients and families arriving at two Lombardy hospitals in the period March to November 2022, an anonymous questionnaire investigated the families' backgrounds, feelings, and impressions about hospitality and care.

Methods

Twenty questions investigated how patients had reached Italy, from whom they had received help (logistically/financially); the emotions regarding their status as war refugees; the knowledge, expectations, and opinions about Italy and Italians; the quality of medical care received and the relationships with the healthcare staff; lastly, suggestions to improve assistance.

Results

The questionnaires were completed by 19/32 patients/parents in November 2022 in two different pediatric-oncology centers. Most families had reached Italy (58%) and received medical care (95%) with the help of charities and the Italian Public Health Care System. A significant majority (69%) expressed satisfaction with the assistance provided. The Italian population demonstrated remarkable warmth, for 95% exhibiting friendliness and for 58% generosity. An improvement in their stay could be linked with the positive outcome of their children's cancer (15%), achieving complete family reunification (15%), the cessation of the conflict (10%), and the overcoming of language barriers (10%).

Conclusions

Providing care for children from another country, not only grappling with the trauma of fleeing their homeland but also battling cancer, is an immense undertaking. It demands a diverse range of efforts and resources to ensure a positive and fulfilling outcome for this experience.

Full text links 

Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1002/pbc.31087

Read article for free, from open access legal sources, via Unpaywall: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/pbc.31087Unpaywall

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